NCAA DIVISION I-AA* CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (4-1,...

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

* CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (4-1, 3-0) vs. CAL STATE SACRAMENTO (2-4, 0-3)

At Hornet Stadium, 6:05 p.m. Radio: KCSN-FM (88.5)

Guarding against a letdown after an emotional 21-7 victory over perennial power Montana last week is among Northridge’s main tasks. The Matadors, ranked No. 16 in both polls and leading the Big Sky Conference for the first time since joining in 1996, meet a hungry program that could wreck their championship chase. The Hornets are 1-18 in Big Sky games and 4-24 overall the last three years and might be winless this season if not for Charles Roberts. A 5-foot-6 sophomore, Roberts ranks second in Division I-AA in rushing at 182.7 yards a game and has scored 10 of Sacramento’s 16 touchdowns. He has 150 or more yards in five consecutive games and has 1,096 yards rushing. Roberts last week rushed for 185 yards in Sacramento’s 58-31 loss at Portland State, among the weaker rushing defenses in the Big Sky. Northridge’s defense is improving every week and was at its best against Montana, holding the Grizzlies to 267 yards. Montana had not been shut out in the first half since 1994. The Matadors lead the Big Sky and are fifth in I-AA with a 1.40 turnover margin per game. Redshirt freshman Marcus Brady, who is averaging 267.6 yards passing, is facing a Sacramento defense that ranks last against the pass in the Big Sky, yielding 149.9 yards a game. Northridge has won four in a row, its longest winning streak since a seven-game string in 1990. The Matadors escaped with a 45-38 overtime victory over Sacramento last year.

DIVISION III

* CAL LUTHERAN (3-2, 0-1) vs. CLAREMONT-MUDD (0-4, 0-2)

At Zinda Field, Claremont, 7 p.m.

After a 10-6 nonconference victory over Chapman, the Kingsmen return to Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play seeking to extend a two-game winning streak with their first SCIAC victory. Modest though it is, Cal Lutheran’s streak is better than the one the Stags are on. Claremont-Mudd has lost 16 consecutive games. Cal Lutheran has struggled offensively in recent games, and starter Zack Hernandez and backup Nick Odenath have shared the quarterback duties. They may struggle against Claremont-Mudd’s pass defense, which is the best in the conference and surrenders just 93.8 yards a game. The Kingsmen, however, can turn to their running game, which is averaging 170.8 yards thanks to Dorian Stitt and Fredrik Nanhed, both averaging 4.6 yards a carry. Nanhed moved into second place last week among Cal Lutheran’s career rushing leaders. Claremont-Mudd’s rush defense surrenders a conference-high average of 186 yards. By contrast, the Kingsmen’s defense is on a roll, allowing just 15.2 points and 274.8 yards, including only 66.8 yards on the ground.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* HANCOCK (5-0, 1-0) vs. CANYONS (4-1, 1-0)

At Canyons, 7 p.m.

Surprising Canyons will be playing for a share of first place in the Western State Conference Northern Division game. However, the Cougars have yet to face a team of Hancock’s caliber. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 5 in th state and No. 3 in Southern California, and are coming off a 56-3 drubbing of Santa Barbara. Canyons’ offense ranks third in the WSC. But tailback Jason Parks, who rushed for 137 yards and a school-record five touchdowns last week against Pierce, is questionable because of a hip injury. Kevin Carrasco, who won a three-way battle for the starting quarterback job, has thrown for 929 yards and eight touchdowns while completing more than 60% of his passes. Defensive tackle Travis Knowles likely is lost for the season because of torn knee ligaments. Sophomore Jeff McCoy of Hancock has passed for 670 yards and six touchdowns, and has had only one pass intercepted in 106 attempts. But the Bulldogs’ strength is its running game. Handoffs are divided almost equally among Matt Daniels, Tyler Otis and Chris Lester, who have combined for 998 yards. Hancock has allowed only 55 points, fewest in the WSC.

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BAKERSFIELD (2-2, 0-0) vs. VENTURA (5-0, 1-0)

At Ventura., 7 p.m.

Bakersfield routed Ventura, 56-9, last season. But the setting this season is far from the same. Ventura, locked in a three-way tie for first with Hancock and Canyons, is ranked 11th in the state and needs two victories to equal a 7-0 start in 1989. Unranked Bakersfield has struggled, particularly against teams with strong running attacks. That bodes well for Ventura’s Travis Rogers, who last week became the first running back in the nation to top the 1,000-yard plateau (1,001). Defense might have more to do with Ventura’s turnaround under second-year Coach Terry Morris, who serves as defensive coordinator. Linebacker Ryan Cuthbert was among WSC players of the week after making three tackles, deflecting a kick and recovering a fumble against Glendale. Defensive end Torrance Heggie blocked a punt that resulted in a safety and free safety Marcus Hill is one of the hardest hitters in the state. Bakersfield’s Jermaine Ervin and Dave Bennett both rank among the WSC’s rushing leaders. The Renegades’ sputtering passing attack has accounted for only 314 yards. Bakersfield is coming off a bye and lost two weeks ago, 42-27, to Moorpark.

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PIERCE (1-4, 0-1) vs. GLENDALE (1-4, 0-1)

At Glendale, 1 p.m.

Glendale has defeated Pierce in overtime in their last two meetings. On paper, it doesn’t look like this WSC Northern Division game will be as close. Glendale has the WSC’s No. 1-ranked offense while Pierce’s defense is ranked 14th. That should translate into a lot of carries by Glendale’s Darrell Durham, who has rushed for 695 of the Vaqueros’ conference-leading 1,211 yards. Quarterback Mike Frost threw four touchdown passes last week against Ventura, raising his season total to 10, but has been prone to interceptions. Pierce’s problem remains a thin roster, which leads to second-half fatigue. The Brahmas have contended this season with an explosive passing attack. Quarterback Calvin Zinck ranks first in the WSC with 1,179 yards. Vaughn Corley leads the conference in receptions (42) and reception yards (524). Basil Duncantell has 23 catches and Raymar Adams has 18.

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VALLEY (2-2, 1-0) vs. WEST L.A. (2-2, 1-0)

At West L.A. 1 p.m.

Valley’s 25-13 victory over Harbor last week in a WSC Southern Division opener was much needed in wake of the Monarchs’ sluggish start. Quarterbacks Travis Winn and Eric Holtfreter both played well against Harbor, Holtfreter passing for 131 yards in relief. The two will continue to split duty for the remainder of the season. Either way, the Monarchs’ offense, ranked 11th in the WSC, could use a boost. Jason Portee is the team’s leading rusher with 158 yards. Linebacker Marc Zimmermann was selected WSC defensive player of the week after returning an interception 46 yards against Harbor. Rod Williams, who has rushed for 238 yards, leads a speed-laden attack for West L.A. Quarterback Brennan Crooks, who has passed for 417 yards and two touchdowns, and Craig Mitchell have connected for 25 completions.

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HARBOR (1-3, 0-1) vs. MOORPARK (3-1, 1-0)

At Harbor, 7 p.m.

Moorpark’s 457-yard output last week in a 59-20 rout of Compton gave the Raiders a chance to spread the wealth around. Carl Richardson, who ranks third in the WSC with 639 yards, rushed for 109 yards and scored two touchdowns. Freshman Emmanuel Evans from Birmingham rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns and sophomore Emory Holmes had an 18-yard touchdown reception. Harbor quarterback Jack Hawley ranks second in the WSC with 1,068 passing yards. Hawley’s chief targets are Mark Pappas, who has 29 receptions, and Jason Brennan, who has 22.

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SOUTHWESTERN (3-1, 0-0) vs. ANTELOPE VALLEY (2-3, 0-0)

At Antelope Valley, 7 p.m.

Antelope Valley will try for a third consecutive victory over Southwestern after losing eight of the first nine meetings. Southwestern has won three in a row entering the Foothill Conference interdivision game. Running back Kasey Young and quarterback Monte Gutowski were selected conference players of the week for their roles in a 41-14 victory at San Diego Mesa. Young rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown. Gutowski threw three touchdown passes, completing seven of 10 for 158 yards. Gutowski has passed for 676 yards and eight touchdowns. Andre Velazquez has 13 receptions for 210 yards and five touchdowns.